Dance Competition Photo's

[Speed]

If you've never tried this, then you're in for a treat. Hint: it is dark in the aditorium! I shot these with my D200 and Nikon 80-200mm f2.8. ISO 800, f 2.8, spot metering, RAW mode. Shutter speeds varied from 1/20th of a second to 1/400th of a second, depending on where she was on the stage. Most ran in the 1/125th to 1/180th range. I was sitting seven rows back, shooting offhand. Oh for a D3 or a D300!!!

BTW, she's talented as well as beautiful.

[Speed]

Or have kids that dance, you should enjoy these, and recognize some of the moves.

[Speed]

For those that think I post too many photo's of Dawn - see I can post something different.

For those that want more photo's of Dawn - we go to Myrtle Beach this month, so more photo's of her will be coming soon!

[Frog]

A lovely girl with talent = photo ops galore.
Nice shots, especially in that light and hand held. One of these days I'll have a f/2.8 something.

[Old Timer]

Given the conditions you were shooting under these are fantastic Speed. Don't you love the 80-200 f2.8. I really like my D200 but can't wait till I can justify upgrading to a D300. I'd do it tomorrow is I could find a good home for the D200 or the D2h.

Oh by the way great timing on these. You really caught some wonderful action and poses.

[freygr]

I guess before the next Horse show at the indoor arena if I'm going to take photos I'm also going to have to get the 80-200 with a D300 or D3. Even with the 50mm F1.4 at ISO800 there was too much noise with my D70. I hope I can get something other than a plain ground glass view screen in the D300 or D3.

[I_Fly]

Nice shots buddy. She obviously has a few talented and lucky genes running in her DNA! I, unfortunately, know nothing about dance other than what I see on Dancing with the Stars so I assume that those are some common dance moves.

It looks like a challenging shoot, judging from the background, spot metering helped save the day! Does your camera have a higher, decent iso? I know if I tried to shoot that with my old 1D at 800, it would've been super grainy, almost unusable.

You realize that you're just going to have to suck it up sometime, step to the pay window and get you one of those bodies, don't you? Maybe you should do some sweet talking to Dawn while you're at Myrtle Beach! ;)

[Speed]

A lovely girl with talent = photo ops galore.
Nice shots, especially in that light and hand held. One of these days I'll have a f/2.8 something.

You got it buddy!

I love my fast lenses. I have a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8, a Sigma 28-70mm f2.8, a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro, and a Nikon 50mm f1.4. The faster the better as far as I'm concerned. But then, I've shot a lot of dance competitions, school plays, basketball, and astrophotography.

[Speed]

Given the conditions you were shooting under these are fantastic Speed. Don't you love the 80-200 f2.8. I really like my D200 but can't wait till I can justify upgrading to a D300. I'd do it tomorrow is I could find a good home for the D200 or the D2h.

Oh by the way great timing on these. You really caught some wonderful action and poses.

Thank you for the kind words Larry!

Yes, I LOVE my 80-200mm f 2.8. And I drool every time I think about the D300.

[Speed]

I guess before the next Horse show at the indoor arena if I'm going to take photos I'm also going to have to get the 80-200 with a D300 or D3. Even with the 50mm F1.4 at ISO800 there was too much noise with my D70. I hope I can get something other than a plain ground glass view screen in the D300 or D3.

Fast lenses are great, and the faster the better in my book. I actually shot one of the team dances with my 50mm f1.4. The majority of the shots were taken with the 80-200mm f2.8.

Grain is noticeable at ISO 800 with the D200, but it's what I had to do. The D3 or D300 is so far ahead of everything else out there in that regard (ISO performance) right now, and I would dearly love to have one!

In the meantime, try using spot metering, the fastest lens you can use, and use the lowest ISO you can get away with.

[Speed]

Nice shots buddy. She obviously has a few talented and lucky genes running in her DNA! I, unfortunately, know nothing about dance other than what I see on Dancing with the Stars so I assume that those are some common dance moves.

It looks like a challenging shoot, judging from the background, spot metering helped save the day! Does your camera have a higher, decent iso? I know if I tried to shoot that with my old 1D at 800, it would've been super grainy, almost unusable.

You realize that you're just going to have to suck it up sometime, step to the pay window and get you one of those bodies, don't you? Maybe you should do some sweet talking to Dawn while you're at Myrtle Beach! ;)

Thanks buddy.

She obviously gets hers good looking genes from Dawn, and all the other good stuff I claim credit for - environmental influences you understand. ;-)

It is challenging shooting these things. Ironically, last year there was a "pro" photographer shooting from right underneath the dancers and selling CD's of the photo's. I shot them at ISO 1000 from several rows back and made CD's (for free) for the parents. Several of them commented to me that my shots were better than the pro's, and that they paid a hefty sum for those CD's that they were not happy with. I don't think any of the parents bought CD's from her this year. I'm giving out the CD's when I pick my daughter up from dance tonight.

The grain at ISO 800 is more than I like, but it's bearable. I would love dearly to have a D300, and I'm saving my nickels and dimes for one. It's just a matter of time.

[MB1]

Nest time if you have any say in the matter ask her to wear an outfit that works against both the dark and light backgrounds. That black really gets lost against the black background. I'm thinking a pastel or a nice strong red or blue would work well.

OTOH there is something to be said for your basic Wonder Woman outfit-tiara optional.

[Alison]

AWESOME shots speed!

[Speed]

Nest time if you have any say in the matter ask her to wear an outfit that works against both the dark and light backgrounds. That black really gets lost against the black background. I'm thinking a pastel or a nice strong red or blue would work well.

OTOH there is something to be said for your basic Wonder Woman outfit-tiara optional.

Don't I wish!!!

Unfortunately, photography in not on their minds when they choose their outfits.

:-(

Thanks for the comments MB1.

[Speed]

Thank you Alison!

I've had lots of practice, and I do enjoy it. If only they turned up the lights just a little...

[MJS]

Great shots Speed. I know the Dance comp shots. I usually end up setting up my still shooters with my personal gear while I direct the three camera video shoot at those things. Mine is only taking 8 classes a week right now, what with playing on the middle school water polo team.

We just finished diving the Epcot lining seas tank at Disney. Too bad they wouldn't let us take a camera in with us.

[jgredline]

Very Impressive!!!!
There is nothing like a nice fast lens..

[Speed]

Very Impressive!!!!
There is nothing like a nice fast lens..

Thank you Jgredline!

And you are right, there's nothing like a fast lens!